Vacuum container inside closure means for the access door

ABSTRACT

A vacuum container compromising a vacuum producing means to create a vacuum within said container, a conduit to vacuum solids or liquids into the vacuum container, an access door and a means to close and/or open the access door from within the vacuum container. The door closure/opening means having door attachment means so as to equalize sealing pressures throughout the door sealing means. The door closure/opening means may be powered by a means disposed within the vacuum container or located external to the vacuum container. A means external to the vacuum container may be used to activate the internal door closure/opening means. Should the internal door closure means fail to open the door, an external fastener or access means may be used to override or remove the internal closure means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a vacuum container compromising a means which will create a vacuum condition within a container, a conduit to transport a liquid or solid particles into the vacuum container, a vacuum container access door and a means to close, seal, or open the access door from within the vacuum container. An attachment to the inside center of the access door serves to pull the door closed from inside the container and disperse sealing force as needed to accomplish a seal. After the access door is pulled closed with sufficient force to seal the door to a door seal, the closing force must be maintained by a secure means to maintain the door sealing until which time it is desired to open the access door.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Current state of the art vacuum containers utilized access doors with exterior means to push or pull the door closed or open. External door closures means are difficult to attach so as to evenly distribute force on the door seal. Generally there is not a means to push the door closed from the outside center of the door because there is nothing behind the door to push from.

[0005] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a vacuum container having an access door and open or close it by attaching a first end of a linear actuator to the inside center of the access door and a second end of a linear actuator to the inside of the vacuum container. The linear actuator retracts to pull the access door closed, by pulling on the inside center of the access door, the closing force is dispersed evenly on the door seal. The location point of the attachment to the inside of the access door determines the distribution of the sealing force. The nut of the linear actuator maintains force on the door and door seal until the nut is turned to extend the linear actuator thus reducing force on the door and door seal.

[0006] It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a means of powering the linear actuator.

[0007] It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a means of activating the linear actuator from outside the vacuum container.

[0008] It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a means of maintaining the door closed and sealed until it is opened.

[0009] It is yet another objective of the invention to provide means, to internally close or open the access door, such as an air cylinder, gas spring, hydraulic cylinder, lever system, gear system, rack and pinion, worm gear, hydrostatic motor, electric motor, winch or weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010]FIG. 1 is a cut away side elevation view of a vacuum container with a vacuum producing means, an access door in the closed position and a linear actuator attached to the access door on the first end and attached to the inside of the vacuum container on a second end. 12v DC motor is shown as the power means to extend or retract the linear actuator. The access door is shown in the closed position.

[0011]FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 2 except that the access door is shown in the open position.

[0012]FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1 except that the power means is located external to the vacuum container.

[0013]FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 except that the access door is shown in the open position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The above described objectives and others are met by a vacuum container equipped with a vacuum producing means, a filling conduit, an access door and means to internally close or open the access door.

[0015] An access door closure means may be attached to the center of the access door so that the closure force will be dispersed as needed or evenly to the door sealing means.

[0016] A durable, pliable sealing means may be attached to the access door or vacuum container to be used to seal contents within the vacuum container when the access door is closed.

[0017] An external fastener or access means may be added so as to open the access door in the event of a closure means failure.

[0018] A power means may be added so as to operate the access door opening and closing means.

[0019] An external means may be added so as to activate the closing or opening of the access door.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] The above described needs are met by a vacuum producing device 2, which extracts gases 4 from container 1 through conduit 5. An access door 6 is used for access to vacuum container 1 and to empty liquids a solids form vacuum container 1. Access door 6 has a hinge means 7. A preferred way to open or close the access door 6 is to push or pull the door from the inside center thus applying force which is evenly transferred to the entire access door seal 18. An attachment 8 is positioned to the inside of the access door 6. Internal opening or closing means 20 may be attached to door attachment at one end and vacuum container attachment 12 or 14 at the other end. Attachment 12 may be located inside the vacuum container 1 or as shown by attachment 14 may have means, external to the vacuum container 1, to loosen or attach the internal opening or closing means 20. A power means 13 may be located inside vacuum container 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 or the power means 13 may be located outside the vacuum container 1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIGS. 1-4, a linear actuator 10 with rod attachment 9, is shown to represent one example of an internal opening and closing means 20. The internal opening and closing means 20 may include a hydraulic cylinder, an air cylinder, a lever, a winch, a solenoid, a spring, a gas spring, a gear arrangement, a rack and pinion, a worm gear or spur gear. A power supply means 16 may be 12 volt DC, other AC or DC voltage, air pressure, hydraulic pressure, etc. A control means 17 may be utilized to activate, monitor or control the system. 

What is claimed
 1. A vacuum container having an access door and having a means to close the door from within the vacuum container.
 2. The vacuum container as described in a claim 1 wherein said vacuum container comprises one or more doors.
 3. The vacuum container as described in claim 1 wherein said vacuum container comprises one or more door closure means disposed within the vacuum container.
 4. The vacuum container as described in claim 1 wherein said vacuum container comprises one or more means to pull the debris door closed from within the vacuum container and utilizes door attachment means so as to seal the door closed.
 5. The vacuum container as described in claim 1 wherein said door closure means utilizes a power source external to the vacuum container.
 6. The vacuum container as described in claim 1 wherein said door closure means utilizes a fastener means external to the vacuum container.
 7. The vacuum container as described in claim 1 wherein said door closure means also secures the door sealed closed until it is desired to open the door.
 8. The vacuum container as described in claim 1 wherein said door closure means also has means to open said door.
 9. The vacuum container as described in claim 1 wherein said door closure means and door opening means are powered.
 10. The vacuum container as described in claim 1 wherein said door closure means or door opening means are manual.
 11. The vacuum container as described in claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, or 10 wherein said door closure means is a linear actuator, a hydraulic cylinder, an air cylinder, a lever, a winch, a solenoid, a spring, or a gas spring. 